{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1823744"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1823744/"}},"images":null,"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1823744","accessionNumber":"WE.16640-2014","objectType":"Bicycle","titles":[{"title":"H model","type":"manufacturer's title"}],"summaryDescription":"This 'H' model bicycle was manufactured by the Hercules Cycle and Motor Company Ltd a British bicycle maker established in September 1910 in Aston, England. This bike formerly belonged to Josiah Wedgwood V, who at the age of 30 he was appointed Wedgwood Chairman in 1930. Josiah V took over the company when it faced multiple problems, including an economic depression, a dilapidated factory at Etruria, and increasing competition. Under his careful guidance, the company moved from Etruria to Barlaston, both situated along the Trent and Mersey Canal, so it was common for Josiah V to cycle between the sites along the canal when Barlaston was being built and when the two factories were manufacturing simultaneously.","physicalDescription":"Bicycle, Metal, leather and rubber, 'H' model design. Black bicycle frame with black rubber wheels. 'H' on bicycle frame to show the model type. Back wheel has a white area with a red light. Saddle is a brown leather, and has a small glasses sized pouch attached to the back with a metal fastening. Hercules branding on wheels and back of back. Brooks branding on saddle.","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"Hercules Cycle and Motor Company","id":"AUTH413406"},"association":{"text":"manufacturers","id":"AAT25230"},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"metal","id":"AAT10900"},{"text":"rubber","id":"AAT12941"}],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Metal, leather and rubber,","categories":[{"text":"V&A Wedgwood Collection","id":"THES276060"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"WED","id":"THES270009"},"images":[],"imageResolution":"","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"WDG2","id":"THES292798"},"free":"","case":"CA48.1","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"bicycles","id":"AAT212636"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Birmingham","id":"x28748"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca. 1930s","earliest":"1925-01-01","latest":"1943-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"V&A Wedgwood Collection. Presented by Art Fund with major support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, private donations and a public appeal.","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"1090","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"whole","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"500","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"whole, handle bar to handle bar","note":""},{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"685","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"wheel","note":""},{"dimension":"Length","value":"1760","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"whole","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"MADE IN ENGLAND' (impressed into metal of handlebar); 'HERCULES' (impressed onto foot pedals); 'MADE IN ENGLAND / BROOKS / GENTS B66 MODEL' (both sides of leather saddle); 'H' (on metal framing of bike below handle bars); 'HERCULES' (metal plaque below red light on back of wheel); 'BROOKS' (metal plaque on back of saddle); (printed text under seat on frame and on lower bar of frame is illegible)","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":""}],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Bicycle, Metal, leather and rubber, Hercules Cycle and Motor Company Ltd and Brooks, Birmingham, ca. 1930s","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[{"text":"BICYCLE formerly belonging to Josiah Wedgwood V. This popular 'H' model bicycle was manufactured by the Hercules Cycle and Motor Company Ltd a British bicycle maker established in September 1910 in Aston, England. The company, founded by Edmund and Harry Crane, started life in Coventry Street, Birmingham initially producing 25 models a week. In the 1930s, the company was considered the largest bicycle manufacturer in the world.","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null}}],"partNumbers":["WE.16640-2014"],"accessionNumberNum":"16640","accessionNumberPrefix":"WE","accessionYear":2014,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-07-08","recordCreationDate":"2026-07-08","availableToBook":false}}